Seattle's offense not up to Holmgren's standard

BY ERIC D. WILLIAMS | The News Tribune • Published October 07, 2008

RENTON - With a revolving door at receiver so far this season, Seattle coach Mike Holmgren's vaunted passing attack has been mostly ineffective.

The Seahawks' inability to throw the ball has led the West Coast offense guru to consider changing his philosophy after a disappointing 1-3 start. Holmgren says he may use the running game more for the time being, leaning on a rebuilt ground game led by free agent acquisition Julius Jones to move the chains.

"A huge emphasis has to be on continuing to get better running the football," Holmgren said during his Monday press conference with reporters. "It appears as though that's going to have to be a big part of success for us this year. We ran it decently in spots (Sunday). But the game changed and it didn't work."

Seattle couldn't run the ball effectively last season and because of that threw the ball nearly 58 percent of the time in 2007. This season, with an improved running game the Seahawks are running the ball about 50 percent of the time.

Even though Seattle struggled running the ball against the Giants, Seattle ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 143.2 yards per game. Holmgren said with inconsistency in the passing game, Seattle may have to play more of a ball-control offense - similar to teams such as Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Tennessee that rely ball control and defense to win games.

"We have never kind of been that type of team," Holmgren said. "And it's not the kind of football typically that I embrace, necessarily. But (if) you have that type of defense you can do that."

hot reads: Holmgren said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's knee is OK and he should be ready to practice this week. Wide receiver Deion Branch is another matter, however. Branch, who just returned from an ACL knee injury, suffered a bruised heel, according to Holmgren. Branch's status this week is uncertain. However, Holmgren said he thinks Branch's knee is OK. Cornerback Kelly Jennings, who suffered a concussion on Sunday, should be ready to go this week.